Best Wood Species For Exterior Siding

Modern science has given us many synthetic wood look products and yet solid wood usually cedar pine spruce redwood cypress or douglas fir remain favorite choices for finer homes.

Best wood species for exterior siding.

While pine siding can be very affordable it can t resist rot and insects like cedar can. It is the most stable and durable wood in your list and a couple hundred years from now when someone reclaims that siding it ll be like hitting a gold mine. Cedar types include eastern white cedar red cedar and alaskan yellow cedar. While you can choose from a variety of wood siding options pine spruce fir.

Before settling on a wood species and grade ask your builder about rot resistance splitting checking and cupping. Decay resistant wood species. Finished or bare the best wood for outdoor projects is the heartwood from a species that naturally withstands decay. More durable species such as redwood and cedar and more clear grains can cost 2 3 times more than the more economical varieties such as pine.

The three most widely available and suitable exterior lumber choices not treated with chemical preservatives include western red cedar redwood and cypress. It s best to choose wood siding pieces that have the most heartwood in them as they are going to be more durable. The best wood siding options include 7 types of wood as well as 7. Wood is a perennial favorite choice for siding options throughout the united states and canada.

Woods for outdoor projects. Pine and cedar are the two main wood species used for exterior siding. I favor board and bat siding. Houses with natural wood exterior types of fiber cement siding.

Second would be white oak then red oak. Whether it is vertical siding like board and batten or horizontal siding like clapboards shakes. As with cedar shingle siding wood clapboards can be stained rather than painted. Because wood siding is available in many different types and grades of species pricing varies greatly.

Each type has a color true to its name. On average you should expect to pay 5 7 sq ft. Just for materials when you consider high grade minimal knots cedar lap siding. Save the hickory for cabinets smoking meat and firewood.

Wood siding or cladding is natural attractive material used to cover and protect the exterior of a house. Some woods that fit the description are accoya catalpa cedar spanish western red eastern white or alaskan yellow chestnut cypress old growth is best ipe juniper locust black. While cedar is resistant to moisture and insect damage it still has to be properly maintained or you can run into major problems with your siding. Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages so decide which wood best suits your building needs and budget.

Others such as shingles clapboards or shakes are installed horizontally.